Austrian native Dr. Daniela Ratschew came to the 2024 NRHA Futurity to compete for the first time in the Non Pro Futurity. Riding under the guidance of NRHA Professional Mathieu Buton, Ratschew will be showing Snapcrackle Shoot (Guns R For Shootin x Snapplejac Juice), bred and nominated by J D Performance Horses.
“This spring, the opportunity came along that I got a futurity horse, and we are getting ready to show here at the NRHA Futurity,” she said. “I have known Mathieu and his wife Angelina, who is also from Austria, for a long time, so it was an easy decision to put the horse in training with Mathieu. He is a past NRHA Futurity [Open Level 3, 2, 1] Champion, and I like his program.”
Before coming to the NRHA Futurity, Ratschew and her gelding made their debut at the 100X Tulsa Reining Classic.
“We showed in Level 2 and 1 Futurity and in the Invitational, and we ended up in the money placings, so it was a great experience for us,” said Ratschew and continued about her NRHA Futurity journey, “I have been here before just to watch, and I love the atmosphere here. Also, to have so many great riders at one place. Overall, it is much bigger here than in Europe and, in my opinion, more professional.
“I started reining a long time ago, she continued. “I first rode English because there was no other option at that time. But when I saw western riding and reining, when it came to Europe, I fell in love. I switched to Western and rode and competed on reiners in Austria and around Europe. My first western horse was an Appaloosa.”
Ratschew, a dentist by profession, has three horses at home that she enjoys while she is not working.
“I have my own practice in Vienna, and I enjoy it,” she said. “It is a mechanical job, so you have to be really focused, which can also transfer to riding.”
Ratschew thanked her husband, Thomas, and the whole team at Mathieu Buton Reining Horses for their support.
“Mathieu’s assistant, Cathrine Johnson, helps me a lot. They are a great team, and they take good care of the horses. If all goes well here, I want to keep the horse in the U.S., and I am looking forward to showing him some more next year.”
